Tim Tebow gets $200,000 offer from Italian team

In this Aug. 29, 2013, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow warms up before a game against the New York Giants.

ROME — Tim Tebow was offered a four-month contract by the Italian federation for American football, and the Milano Seamen are hoping to sign the free agent quarterback.

Excerpts of an offer sent by federation president Leoluca Orlando to Tebow’s representatives were posted on the federation’s website Thursday.

“The offer has been made to his agent and now we’re waiting for a response,” Seamen president Marco Mutti told The Associated Press. “We would be more than happy to have him.”

A federation spokesman, James Dewar, told AP that the offer is for $200,000 and that it was sent Wednesday on the recommendation of a sponsor.

The 26-year-old Tebow was cut by the New England Patriots before this NFL season. He would be the most prominent player to appear in the Italian league — by far.

The eight-team Italian league is divided into two divisions. The other teams are located in Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Parma, Reggio Emilia and Rome, while Milan has two teams.

The season begins in March and concludes with the Italian Super Bowl in July.

In last season’s title game, the Parma Panthers beat the Seamen 51-28. The Seamen have the league’s largest stadium, with 8,000 seats. Fashion designer Giorgio Armani is a former owner of the team.

Tebow, who grew up in Jacksonville, won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 with the University of Florida and tasted NFL success with the Denver Broncos, leading them to the playoffs in 2011 before his pro career faded with the New York Jets. He was released in the last cut by the Patriots before this season began and has not been picked up by anyone, even though many teams have had problems at quarterback.

Since Shahid Kahn wants American football (albeit Jaguar football) to play in Europe. It would be a nice gesture if he would help and maybe sponsor Tebow in Italy with some cash as an experiment to promote the popularity of the sport. That would be a nice gesture. He might even get a return on his investment if Tebow becomes a Super Star overthere.-------just an idea.